Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have sought on the provision of technical instruments to monitor the border crossings between Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland to facilitate an open border between the UK and the EU after Brexit; and from whom.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
We have been clear that we are committed to working with the EU to find a creative solution that recognises the particular economic, social and cultural context of the land border with Ireland.
Government departments are working together across a range of complex issues, exploring all options including the use of technology-based solutions.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons sought British citizenship while resident in Northern Ireland in (1) 2014 to 2015, and (2) 2016 to 2017.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The available information relates to the number of people attending British citizenship ceremonies in Northern Ireland and is published in Home Office’s Immigration Statistics, October – December 2017, Citizenship table cz_08.
These figures relate to successful applicants who are required to attend a citizenship ceremony as the final stage of their application and cover the majority of grants. They exclude those not required to attend a ceremony (primarily children under 18 years of age) and unsuccessful applications. Data on applications for British citizenship by the applicant’s place of residence at the time of application are not routinely collated centrally.
A table of figures for 2014, 2015 and 2016 is provided below.
People attending British citizenship ceremonies in Northern Ireland | |||
Year | Ceremonies attended | ||
2014 | 595 | ||
2015 | 447 | ||
2016 | 650 | ||
Source: Home Office, Migration Border Analysis | |||
Immigration Statistics October to December 2017. Subset of data in table cz_08. | |||
Citizenship ceremony figures for 2017 will be published in Immigration Statistics January to March 2018 on 24th May 2018.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for the Border Force in Northern Ireland following Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The UK is committed to avoiding a hard land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is our priority to deliver a practical solution that recognises the unique social, political and economic circumstances of the border. As set out in the Northern Ireland and Ireland Position Paper (16 August 2017) one of the Government’s essential aims is no physical infrastructure at the land border.
Border Force is working closely with other Government Departments on the detailed logistical and operational planning for managing all the impacts of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, on and at the border.
Border Force actively monitors workflows to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet demand and will continue to do so throughout negotiations and as the UK leaves the EU.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current numerical strength of the Border Force in Northern Ireland; and what plans they have for recruitment, in the light of Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
This Government has ensured that sufficient resources are available to ensure the security of the border is not compromised. Security of the border cannot be measured by numbers of staff.
Border Force uses a sophisticated combination of experienced officers, intelligence, data, technology and partnership working. Border Force resources within Northern Ireland are reviewed on a regular basis as part of the wider Border Force business planning process which is led by the Director General of Border Force.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland about security arrangements for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland following Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
We have a close relationship with Ireland and have regular contact on a range of issues including security arrangements. This cooperation is ongoing and we remain committed to maintaining it as the UK leaves the EU.
Both Governments are equally committed to ensuring that our departure from the EU does not lead to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the PSNI regarding border security, in the light of Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
We will use our future exit from the EU to look at further strengthening UK border security. The Home Office is in regular contact with PSNI across a wide range of EU Exit policy issues, including border security.
Of particular relevance to Northern Ireland is the Government’s commitment, as set out in the December Joint Report, to protecting and supporting continued North-South cooperation with Ireland across the full range of contexts, including security, and to ensuring that the UK’s departure from the EU will not lead to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the need for long-term support for victims of modern slavery in the UK, to assist in their recovery.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Potential victims of modern slavery in the UK are entitled to at least 45 days of support, and in the majority of cases support is provided for much longer than 45 days. This specialist support is provided to all potential victims who receive a positive ‘reasonable grounds’ decisions through a victim care contract with The Salvation Army.
If an individual is then confirmed to be a victim they will receive support for a further 14 days. During this time support providers will work with the victim to implement a tailored plan on how they can move on safely to integrate into UK society or to return to their home country if it is safe for them to do so.
The government is reviewing the support it provides to victims as part of wider reforms to the National Referral Mechanism.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
Her Majesty's Government what is the numerical strength of the Border Force in Northern Ireland; and whether they have plans to increase that strength in the near future.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
This Government has ensured that sufficient resources are available to ensure the security of the border is not compromised. Security of the border cannot be measured by numbers of staff. Border Force uses a sophisticated combination of experienced officers, intelligence, data, technology and partnership working. Border Force resources within Northern Ireland are reviewed on a regular basis as part of the wider Border Force business planning process which is led by the Director General of Border Force.
Asked by: Lord Eames (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of the numerical strength of the Border Force in Northern Ireland; what plans they have for recruitment; and how frequently that numerical strength is reviewed, and by whom.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
This Government has ensured that sufficient resources are available to ensure the security of the border is not compromised. Security of the border cannot be measured by numbers of staff. Border Force uses a sophisticated combination of experienced officers, intelligence, data, technology and partnership working. Border Force resources within Northern Ireland are reviewed on regular basis as part of the wider Border Force business planning process which is led by the Director General of Border Force. There is currently an ongoing recruitment campaign within Northern Ireland.